A Potentially Fatal ObamaCare Glitch
In today’s Wall Street Journal, Jonathan Adler and I explain how a recently discovered glitch could be the undoing of ObamaCare:
ObamaCare authorizes premium assistance in state‐run exchanges (Section 1311) but not federal ones (Section 1321). In other words, states that refuse to create an exchange can block much of ObamaCare’s spending and practically force Congress to reopen the law for revisions.
The Obama administration wants to avoid that legislative debacle, so this summer it proposed an IRS rule to offer premium assistance in all exchanges “whether established under section 1311 or 1321.” On Nov. 17 the IRS will hold a public hearing on that proposal…
Any employer whose employees receive premium assistance through a federal exchange…would have standing to challenge these illegal tax credits and outlays.
Public‐interest lawyers could file suit as soon as the IRS rule becomes final and they find an employer that will be harmed. Any firm that doesn’t offer health benefits and that employs lots of full‐time, low‐skilled, young workers in a state that fails to create an exchange should suffice. A successful challenge would block the law’s employer mandate in that state.
In addition, under the Congressional Review Act, a simple (filibuster‐proof) majority vote in each chamber of Congress could send to President Obama’s desk a resolution blocking this IRS rule. Even if Mr. Obama vetoed the resolution (taking personal responsibility for this assault on the rule of law), a future president could still rescind the rule.
According to the IRS notice, the public hearing will take place tomorrow, Thursday, November 17, “at 10 a.m., in the auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Due to building security procedures, visitors must enter at the Constitution Avenue entrance. All visitors must present photo identification to enter the building.” Those interested should consult the IRS notice (p. 50938) for more information.
